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State seeks applicants for Montrose DA position

Candidates interested in being appointed the district attorney for the Western Slope’s 7th Judicial District have until the end of the week to apply for the post.

Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper will appoint a replacement for District Attorney Myrl Serra, who announced last week that he would resign amidst a criminal prosecution against him. Serra’s resignation takes effect Tuesday, the same day Hickenlooper will be sworn in.

Those interested in the job should e-mail a resume to Michael Shea in the Governor’s Legal Office, michael.shea @state.co.us, by 5 p.m. Friday.

Officials for Hickenlooper and outgoing Gov. Bill Ritter said Hickenlooper will make the appointment “as quickly as possible.”

The appointee will hold the seat until the November 2012 election. The 7th Judicial District serves Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties.

Seventh Judicial Chief District Judge Steven Patrick had appointed Montrose criminal-defense attorney Dan Hotsenpiller to lead the office, but that appointment was nullified when Serra announced his resignation.

Serra faces a number of felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with allegations he exposed himself to three women in his office and subjected some of them to sexual contact.